The Untold Truth Of Aretha Franklin
Published -
- August 17, 2018
- 7:01 pm
Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, passed away in her home on August 16, 2018 at 76 years old after a quiet battle with pancreatic cancer.
Franklin’s music career spanned nearly six-decades and set innumerable records. The first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Franklin sold more than 75 million records and was nominated for 44 Grammy Awards, taking home 18 of them… but her accomplishments don’t stop there. At 52 years old, Franklin became the then-youngest person to earn a Kennedy Center Honor; and in 2005, President George W. Bush honored her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Obviously, there are plenty of reasons to R-E-S-P-E-C-T Aretha Franklin – but here’s what you may not know about the woman Rolling Stone praised as the “greatest singer of all time.”
Ties to Martin Luther King Jr. | 0:50
Trials and tribulations | 1:24
Legendary diva demands | 2:08
She hated flying | 2:53
The Queen of Shade | 3:36
A beacon during hard times | 4:34
How did Aretha Franklin’s personal health issues affect her career and legacy?
Aretha Franklin was not just a queen of soul music, she was a woman who fought battles that were not known to many. The legendary singer, who passed away on August 16th, 2018, at the age of 76, left a mark on the music industry and in the world, but her story was more than just her music. Franklin had to overcome many struggles, including a difficult childhood, discrimination, and health issues that were not publicly known.
Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 25th, 1942. Her mother, Barbara Siggers Franklin, was an accomplished pianist and her father, Clarence LaVaughn Franklin, was a prominent preacher. Aretha’s parents separated when she was six years old, and her mother died four years later from a heart attack. Her father was left to raise her and her three siblings, and although he was a well-known preacher, he was also a womanizer who physically abused Aretha’s mother.
Aretha’s childhood was not easy, and she was forced to grow up quickly. She became a mother at the age of 12 when she gave birth to her first child, and she continued to have three more children before the age of 20. In addition to her personal struggles, Franklin faced discrimination throughout her career. She was one of the first African American women to achieve significant success in the music industry, but she encountered many obstacles along the way. She was often labeled as a “soul” singer, which was code for “black,” and she struggled to receive radio airplay and to have her music covered by mainstream media outlets.
Despite the challenges she faced, Franklin persevered and became one of the most influential and successful artists of all time. She recorded countless hits, including “Respect,” “Think,” and “Chain of Fools,” and she won 18 Grammy Awards and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her music continues to inspire countless musicians, and her legacy as the “Queen of Soul” will never be forgotten.
However, throughout her career, Franklin also struggled with personal health issues that were not publicly known. In 2010, she underwent surgery for an undisclosed ailment and was forced to cancel concerts and appearances. She later revealed that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a disease that has a low survival rate. Despite the diagnosis, Franklin continued to perform and record music until shortly before her death.
In conclusion, Aretha Franklin was more than just a talented singer. She was a woman who overcame incredible obstacles and fought for her rights and the rights of others. She was a mother, a trailblazer, and a legend who will be remembered for generations to come. Her legacy reminds us of the importance of perseverance, determination, and the power of music to unite and inspire us all.
